1.2% of Earth's surface needed to prevent threatened species extinction

June 26, 2024

In a study published by Frontiers in Science, an open access science publisher, areas inhabited by the most endangered species on Earth have been mapped, and 59% of them are tropical and subtropical forests. The countries where most of these areas are located, are: Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Madagascar and Colombia and the Philippines. It was found, that protecting 1.2% (Or 1.64 million square hectares) of the Earth's surface would be sufficient to prevent the extinction of the most endangered species of both animals and plants.

38% of the areas requiring protection are located in close proximity to already protected areas. The protection plan would cost 34 billion dollars yearly, for the following five years.

According to, about 1 million species of animals and plants are going to face extinction. Protecting endangered species and preserving biodiversity are relevant actions to control climate change.